Working moms and workers compensation

The Pew Research Center just released a report on U.S. “breadwinner moms.”

The think tank found that “a record 40% of all households with children under the age of 18 include mothers who are either the sole or primary source of income for the family.”

More than 5 million moms are married and earn more than their husbands while another 8.6 million are single mothers, according to Pew's research based on U.S. Census Bureau data.

“The growth of both groups of mothers is tied to women's increasing presence in the workplace. Women make up almost of half (47%) of the U.S. labor force today, and the employment rate of married mothers with children has increased from 37% in 1968 to 65% in 2011,” Pew said in its report available here .

The trend has implications for workers compensation claims payers

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health “women face different workplace health challenges than men.”

Women, for example, suffer from more work-related cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and respiratory diseases, according to information from NIOSH available here.

They are also found more frequently in part time, contract or contingent jobs.

“Like all workers in insecure jobs, women may fear that bringing up a safety issue could result in job loss or more difficult work situations,” according to NIOSH. “They may also be less likely to report a work-related injury.”

On another topic, registration is now open for Business Insurance's 2013 Workers Comp Virtual Conference. The fourth annual event is scheduled for Aug. 22 and is free to attend from your desk. Registration and information about speakers and panels are available here.